Amazon reviews can be a hoot (and a frustration, if not downright daft)!

8th December 2022

Amazon reviews can be a hoot! One day, not long ago I was browsing through the book section of Amazon, as one does, and I came across a couple of quirky, funny not so much, reviews. I then wondered how many of these oddball reviews there are out there and within half an hour of randomly clicking on book titles by both well known and lesser known authors, I uncovered a raft of weirdly wonderful and sometimes outright depressing reviews. We know that authors rely on the good will of people writing something positive but these just show that people aren’t thinking about the impact of what they write might have an authors.

Indeed, I have so often seen authors lamenting some poor reviews on Amazon, not on the quality of the book they have bought but on the quality of the delivery method, condition and even a knock down star because of the cover. NOT on the quality of the content!

Kicking off with this one – and goodness, can’t you just imagine a backstory to this?

Verified Purchase

Cant review this accurately, as the person I gave it to has not started to read it yet, but she said that she liked the author

You will be glad to know that the above reviewer gave the author 4* on the back of the review.

It’s fair to say that most people are measured in their comments and the way in which they award the statutory stars, but then occasionally you will come across this kind of comment, and it has a 3* rating, based, on, well, what? Beggar’s belief (but there is more to come!)

Verified Purchase

Have not read keeping it for Xmas as it is a present for me. Look good.

Then you get reviewers who are anxious to praise to the heavens but are too quick at sliding across the band of stars and land on 1* even thought the book is rated as “excellent”

Verified Purchase

A book that should be read. Evan as fiction nobody should forget the horror of war, also that time can heel

This is not helpful:

Verified Purchase

Not my favourite read!

Neither is this, really, although the 5*s accorded to the book suggest that it hit the nail on the head for this reviewer.

Verified Purchase

A1111111

Constructive criticism doesn’t seem to be part of this reviewers psyche:

Verified Purchase

I hate this book… Can I return it? It is the dumbest plot I have ever read!

On the basis of the wrong book cover, the book is awarded 2*

Verified Purchase

I bought this book specifically for the new version of the cover… got sent the old one (blueish with the heart locket) and I’m a bit disappointed as the one advertised was not the one delivered

The following garners a 1* review:

Verified Purchase

This book came highly recommended. I’m sure it’s an amazing read. Unfortunately, the book did not arrive.

A poor author has to contend with this 1* review:

Verified Purchase

I DID NOT WANT THIS ITEM, BUT CAN’T FIND A WAY TO RETURN IT.

This made me laugh, and it was a 4* review

Verified Purchase

This book has a lot of sexy times. The story was great but the times were a lot. So if you are into lots of times ok

Here’s a 1* review (and I read the book concerned and I didn’t think it was at all bad in the “F” department!)

Verified Purchase

Too many “f” words. I was expecting a cosy story. Probably my error

This one is self explanatory:

I made a mistake wanted paperback so no review

Verified Purchase

I wish I could get a refund to order paperback

Amongst all these weird and wonderful comments, there is a story, just waiting to explode. And remember, there is a serious side to all this. Authors rely on carefully thought out reviews to help promote their books.

That notwithstanding, we will be adding to the list as we continue our research for the www.tripfiction.com website and if you can steer us in the direction of any discombobulation reviews, just give us the nod! Here are more updates 👇 (and it seems easy to

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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